Los Angeles daily herald., 1887-05-30
WINES TO BE Examined.

Wetmore of the Viticultural Commis
sion.
WINES TO BE xxAMINED.
| The expense of the 100000 stamps
already printed was borne by the Com.
mission, as the Legislature made no ap-
preparation for purchasing the plates.
The committee of vine-growers ap-
pointed (named above), will proceed to
collect miscellaneous samples of wine
found throughout the city and State.
which, il proven spurious, will be
turned over to the District Attorney and
the case submitted to the courts.
Continuing, Mr.. Wheeler says in his
circular: "This Act. at the time of its
passage by the last Legislature, was ths
subject OF considerable criticism and dis.
pate. 1t has been discussed at great
length before the public, and having
ended in adoption and approval, it is to
be hoped that the little inconvenience
it may make, few will be amply com,
pl>fated by its good effect on the gen.
ef0 industry. Ifit opens the way TO
any fraud we may be sure this part of it
will be used by the enemy to counteract
the effect Of which every good feature of
the law must be brought into requisition.
MANY demanded the use of certain
materials in preparing wines, which
materials to them seemed harmless, but
which to be deemed in order, to exclude
other adulturants. For example, we
may well afford for the market with
in our own State to abandon the use of
ordinary neutral spirits In fortifying
wines. if, by the same law, we are able
to stop the extensive and unhealthful
practice of stretching, produced by the
same eans.
Nor must we forget the effect of this
Act in enlarging the demand for grape
spirits and thereby causing the distilla-
lion of poor wines, which would other. |
wise be fortified by neutral spirits and |
thus usurp the place of better wines. |
We will now substitute native spirit |
for an importation"
"The healthfal effect of cur wines and |
a consequent increase in local coasump-
tion will be greatly promoted by the sub
sritution OF grape spirits for cheaper
poisonous spirits"
THE DEMAND FOR PURE WINE.
The public are urged to demand the
pure wine stamp on bottles at all times,
and the trade will then be forced to
supply wine under California label. 1t
Is suggested that the Controller publish
a list of all applicants for stamps, and
this will serve as valuable directory
Tor purchasers.
In conclusion it is said: "Dealers have
now had ample time for working off
heir suspicious products, and every op.
oortunity has been given those who,
perhaps, with honest motives at first,
have been forced into the use of cheap.
ming processes by harmful competition,
% start anew on a fair, square basis,
With an easy redress from those who
by dishonest means. Whatever
stfect this law may have, it will
Ind is forming a standard of ex.
,ellence founded on ouality.
Ind not alone on price, which latter has
proved the ruinous measure by which
our wines have been gauged and mar.
zeted. measure by which they have
been caused to Degenerate, rather than
improve. Good wine continues TO i'm
prove. and will pay to keep. Poor wine
viii rapidly deteriorate, and, if not
'llowed to be drugged, must go either
o the distillery or be made into vinegar.
"If this law becomes effective, which
depends mainly on the patronage of the
public, il will double the
california market for good wine. 1t
7ill send the greater part of the poor {
zine to the distillery, the sale of which |
after has dragged down the price of
he better product to ruinous figures
gures which preclude the possibility of
marketing any choicer grades for the
eneral public. rs. f. Bulletin.